RESIDENTS in the Tetbury area can find out what happens when they flush the loo or pull the plug at an open day at the local sewage treatment works next month.

Wessex Water will be lifting the lid on on what happens to waste water as part of Sewage Week which runs from July 2-8 with Tetbury’s sewage treatment works open on Tuesday, July 8 from 4-7pm.

It has been launched to celebrate 40 years since the water company was formed and will take place at 22 sewage treatment plants across its network.

The last time Wessex Water opened its treatment centres was 20 years ago and 7,000 people turned up across the region to find out more.

Operators will be on hand giving tours to show how waste is screened and incorrectly flushed items removed so that it can be safely released back into the environment.

Ashlea Lane, Wessex Water’s head of waste treatment, said: “This is a rare opportunity to get a glimpse of life at our sewage treatment works in a fun and educational way.

“There’s a serious message as we’ll be explaining the problems caused when the wrong items are flushed down the loo as well as how fats, oils and greases block sewers when poured down the sink.

“We’re always really surprised at how popular sewage treatment works tours prove to be – often people don’t really think about what happens to waste when it is disposed of or the people who deal with it.”

Tetbury sewage treatment works is at Newnton Road, Long Newnton, and people can just turn up on the day.